Awelye, 2000, Minnie Pwerle
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 101cm x 76cm x 3
Provenance: Dacou Aboriginal Gallery, Melbourne. Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne. Private Contemporary Collection, Melbourne. Mossgreen, Melbourne.
Minnie Pwerle began painting after her 80th birthday in the Utopia region, but had participated as a body painter in Women’s ceremonies previously. The intricate designs covering senior women’s bodies were specific to each ritual and represented Dreamings of the country. Once her work transferred across to the canvas she expressed a bold and free flowing style drawing upon these symbols of the Women’s ceremonies. Pwerle passed away in 2006 (1).
Awelye are the traditional women’s ceremonies on Minnie Pwerle’s country. During these ceremonies, the women’s upper bodies are painted with ochre, in the line, u-shape and circle designs that Pwerle has represented in this work. The lively rhythms celebrate and capture the energy and movements of women dancing and singing around open fires in the soft red sand of the desert (2).